The tiniest little back streets,
where the buildings lean in on each other with a sliver of light coming through
are so charming, you wonder how it all keeps working, without caving in on itself. There is a lot of remodeling/refurbishing to keep it together.

There is a lot to see
and do, and the cathedral
is stunning. You fill and fill and fill more still with the art and
architecture.

Spending time in Italy is like eating the biggest meal of your life, after which you are so full, bursting, you find another beautiful place and fill again.

The colors of the stone on walls, streets and roofs are delicious, brown, siena. I spent every minute floating from one sensation to another. The food was delicious, particularly the fresh porcini.

Somehow the Bowl was able to get them from Italy fresh ($7 a pound in June!) so that I could recreate in Berkeley what Da
Trombicche makes: a melting porcini brochette. And try their
anchovies with pesto. You will never have anything so good.